Multiple gaseous conduction device



Nov. 10, 1931. ES 1,830,953

MULTIPLE GASEOUS CONDUCTION DEVICE Fi led Aug. 3, 1928 pressure.

and has within it a through the spectively.

Patented Nov. 10, 1931 RICHARD E. MIESSE, OF CHICAGO,

Q. R. S. NEON, INC., OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS MULTIPLE GASEOUS connircrron DEVICE Application filed August 3, 1928. Serial No. 297,326.

My invention relates to multiple gaseous conduction devices and has for its object the provision of an improved device of this character in which a plurality of electrodes are used in one tube.

The object of this arrangement is to provide a structure which is operative from the ordinary 110 or 220 volt electric circuit. The tube itself is of the vacuous type and contains any suitable gas which may be made luminous upon the application of an electric eon is a gas which is very generally employed in this connection.

I will describe my invention more in detail by referring to the accompanying drawing in which I have diagrammatically illustrated one form of tube together with its circuit connections.

I show a source of current 10 which in this instance, is direct current but which may also be alternating current if desired, this source of current being preferably of the 110 or 220 volt variet Conductors 11 and 12 lead from this source and provide the necessary current for the operation of the tube 13. This tube is of the vacuous type luminous gas such as neon .at any suitable pressure, saylO or 15 mm. of mercury.

Within the tube I provide three electrodes, which if the device is of the direct current variety as shown constitute anodes, these anodes being numbered 14, 15 and 16 re- These anodes are all connected with the conductor 11 through the interposition of resistances 17, 18 and 19, the resistances being of such order of magnitude that the current flow by way of the anode gas is limited to about 30 milliamperes. On both sides of these anodes I prefer to place electrodes which may be operated at incandescence, so as to lower the break-down voltage required and to lower the cathode drop. These electrodes respectively are numbered 20, 21, 22 and 23. One terminal of each of these electrodes is directly connected'to the conductor 12, thus forming a discharge path between each anode and-cathode, which for instance, can be placed from the conductor 12 through the cathode 23, anode l6, resistance 19 to the conductor 11.

Resistances are included in series with each cathode, respectively the resistances 24, 25, 26, and 27. an order of magnitude that the voltage drop across them is sufficient to leave but four volts as the pressure across the terminals of the cathode itself. The resistance of the cathode circuit is of such order of magnitude this arrangement I use a relatively short gap between the elec- 7 trodes of opposite sides, I am' enabled to cause the illumination of a tube of consider-. able length even though the applied electric prpssure may be no more than 110 or 220 V0 ts.

nature of my invention will be readily clear to those skilled in the art and it will also be clear that many modifications may be made within the Having, however, thus described one form which my invention may take, what I claim as new and desire to secure ent is:

1. An illuminating device of the character '90 described comprising an elongated envelope having therein a filling of gas adapted to become luminous when conducting electricity, a series of electrodes spaced longitudinally of said tube throughout its of said electrodes having a pair of leads and others having a single lead only, and a common source of current having one lead of each pair of leads connected to oneside thereof and the other lead of each pair connected we These resistances are of such 55 electrode for a 5 of the anode 15. 7

From what has thus been described, the

spirit of my invention. 35

by Letters Patlength, certain to the other side thereof throu h a suitable resistance and having the sing e leads conmated to one side of the current source through a suitable resistance whereby said two lead electrodes are caused to glow and 'the gas between said electrodes is subjected to a sufiicient potential to cause it to conduct electricity.

2. An illuminating device of the character described comprising an elongated envelope havin therein a filling of gas adapted to become uminous when conducting electricity,'

a series of electrodes spaced longitudinally of said tube throughout its length, alternate electrodes having a pair of leads and others having asingle lead only, and a common source of current having one lead of each pair of leads connected to one side thereof and the other lead of each pair connected to .theother side thereof through a suitable resistance and having'the single leads connected to one side of the current source through a suitable resistance whereby said two lead electrodes are caused to glow and the gas between said electrodes is subjected to suflicient potential to cause it to conduct electricity.

In witness whereoi, I hereunto subscribe my name this 20th dav of July, A. D. 1928.

a RICHARD E. MIESSE. 

